Firms planning to hire more finance, accounting staff

SINGAPORE - Companies expect to recruit more accounting, finance and financial services professionals in this quarter, according to research released on Tuesday by recruitment firm Robert Half.

A survey conducted by the firm found that nearly four in 10 respondents plan to increase the number of accounting and finance professionals they employ.

The survey polled 150 chief financial officers and finance directors from the commerce and industry sector, and 150 senior business leaders from the banking and financial services sector.

In the banking and financial- services sector, 38 per cent of respondents plan to hire new permanent financial- services staff this quarter, with a further 51 per cent maintaining current levels.

In the commerce and industrial sector, 37 per cent of respondents plan to add to their headcount this quarter, while 56 per cent will be keeping numbers constant.

The survey found that the main reasons that respondents need new staff are to support new market penetration, the delivery of new projects and an increase in the products or services the company is offering.

"Confidence is driving business growth, which is leading to more hires for finance, accounting and financial-services professionals. And with an increase in employee numbers, more expansion plans can be pursued," said Ms Stella Tang, director of Robert Half in Singapore.

"At the same time, employers who are planning to maintain headcount over the next three months should carefully consider the long-term effects of doing more with the same resources as productivity could fall as a result."